All-county ban passed

The amendment to the 1993 smoking ordinance that has caused controversy in Monroe County for months was approved in a 2-1 vote Friday. Monroe County commissioners passed amendments to Chapter 370 of the Monroe County code, which will ban smoking in most public places.\nCommissioners' attorney Bill Steger defined public places as "any enclosed indoor area used by the general public" in a statement. The ban will take effect Aug. 1, with the exception of bars established prior to the 1993 smoking ordinance, which will go smoke-free on Jan. 1, 2005.\n"I think it's appropriate for the health board to take care of the air quality throughout the county," Joyce Poling, Monroe County commissioner president said.\nAny business that violates the ordinance can be charged with a $25 fine paid to the general fund of the county. Each additional day of violation will result in additional fines.\nScott Taylor, manager of Crazy Horse, one of Bloomington's only all-smoking restaurants and bars, said he is unsure how the ordinance will affect business after Jan. 1, 2005.\n"It will most likely mean we will gain more smokers and lose business from people who go out with their families," Taylor said.\nThe decision to amend Monroe County's 1993 no-smoking ordinance was introduced by commissioners and carried out by the county health board in an effort to make county air healthier for anyone in a public place. The smoking ban was passed for the city in Bloomington in early March. The county ban was put on hold because of debate. \n"The county is trying to work as closely as possible with the city in order to create proper regulations," said George Hegeman, Health Board president.\nOpponents argue the ban violates smokers' personal rights, while those in favor said the ordinance will reduce the effects of second-hand smoke.\nAccording to "Smoke Free Indiana," second-hand smoke is the third-leading cause of preventable death in the country, killing over 53,000 non-smokers each year. \nThe Indiana State Department of Health reported that tobacco use kills 10,000 Hoosiers each year. Indiana is the second-highest state for smoking, as 89 percent of smokers smoke each day. The report also says that one Indiana smoker dies each hour from a smoking-related illness.\nBob Schmidt, Monroe County health administrator said most residents generally support the amendment to reduce the effects of smoking.\n"Healthy people are happier, and it is our obligation as well as residents' rights for us to take measures to restrict exposure for people who don't want to smoke," he said.